KARACHI: The decision to send Pakistan’s squad for the ODI World Cup in India next year will be taken at government level, the new Pakistani cricket President of the council Najam Seti said.
Speaking in reference to the threat made by his predecessor, Ramiz Raja, that Pakistan would consider pulling out of the mega event if India did not come to Pakistan for the Asian Cup, Sethi said on Monday that “if the government says don’t let’s not go to India, we’re not going”.
“When it comes to cricketing relations between Pakistan and India, let’s be clear. (The) decisions whether or not to play on tour or not are always taken at government level,” Sethi told a news conference. in Karachi.
“These are decisions made only at the government level; the PCB can only seek clarity.”
Sethi added that he would be in touch with the Asian Cricket Council on the matter of the Asian Cup, which Pakistan is set to host next year.
“I will see what the situation is and then move on. Whatever decision we make, we have to make sure we are not isolated.”
Sethi also said he or the PCB have no objections if Raja decides to return to the comment box.
“I have a lot of respect for Ramiz and we would never object to him returning to the comment box.”
Sethi also denied the accounts of his expenses published by the former PCB leadership on his website, saying they were incorrect.
“When I return to Lahore, the first thing I will do is (to) present the factual position to the public. The figures given about me regarding the expenses are not at all accurate,” Sethi said.
Sethi also defended current Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s decision to remove Raja from the PCB chairmanship.
“I was president in 2018. When the government of Imran Khan was formed, I resigned although some people in (the) corridors of power told me that nobody would fire me. I always believed that (the) Prime Minister had the right to choose his candidate to run cricket affairs, so I resigned.”
Sethi also said he was in touch with former Pakistan head coach Mickey Arthur as he wanted him back.
“Mickey is currently under contract with Derbyshire and I have spoken to him. The situation will become clear in the next 8-10 days and we have asked his opinion on the new coaching set-up for the team.
“When he (Arthur) was with the team, he did a lot of good work and he was responsible for bringing Babar Azam forward. He also maintained a lot of discipline and fitness in the team. I think he will be good for the team again if he is available.”
Speaking in reference to the threat made by his predecessor, Ramiz Raja, that Pakistan would consider pulling out of the mega event if India did not come to Pakistan for the Asian Cup, Sethi said on Monday that “if the government says don’t let’s not go to India, we’re not going”.
“When it comes to cricketing relations between Pakistan and India, let’s be clear. (The) decisions whether or not to play on tour or not are always taken at government level,” Sethi told a news conference. in Karachi.
“These are decisions made only at the government level; the PCB can only seek clarity.”
Sethi added that he would be in touch with the Asian Cricket Council on the matter of the Asian Cup, which Pakistan is set to host next year.
“I will see what the situation is and then move on. Whatever decision we make, we have to make sure we are not isolated.”
Sethi also said he or the PCB have no objections if Raja decides to return to the comment box.
“I have a lot of respect for Ramiz and we would never object to him returning to the comment box.”
Sethi also denied the accounts of his expenses published by the former PCB leadership on his website, saying they were incorrect.
“When I return to Lahore, the first thing I will do is (to) present the factual position to the public. The figures given about me regarding the expenses are not at all accurate,” Sethi said.
Sethi also defended current Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s decision to remove Raja from the PCB chairmanship.
“I was president in 2018. When the government of Imran Khan was formed, I resigned although some people in (the) corridors of power told me that nobody would fire me. I always believed that (the) Prime Minister had the right to choose his candidate to run cricket affairs, so I resigned.”
Sethi also said he was in touch with former Pakistan head coach Mickey Arthur as he wanted him back.
“Mickey is currently under contract with Derbyshire and I have spoken to him. The situation will become clear in the next 8-10 days and we have asked his opinion on the new coaching set-up for the team.
“When he (Arthur) was with the team, he did a lot of good work and he was responsible for bringing Babar Azam forward. He also maintained a lot of discipline and fitness in the team. I think he will be good for the team again if he is available.”
